Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Recently, I had the extraordinary experience of rafting 188 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, completely unplugged from my phone and the internet. Like many of you, I was apprehensive about stepping away from my day-to-day responsibilities and the demands of work. The thought of projects stalling and emails piling up was daunting. But what I discovered during this journey was invaluable.
As Kevin Fedarko, New York Times bestselling author of A Walk in the Park and The Emerald Mile, beautifully captures, "If there is a point to being in the canyon, it is not to rush but to linger, suspended in a blue-and-amber haze of in-between-ness, for as long as one possibly can."
This sentiment perfectly encapsulates my time on the river. I learned to “float, to drift, and to savor the rhythm of the river,” embracing the rare tranquility that comes with being truly present in nature.
In the construction industry, we know all too well the pressure to keep things moving constantly. The fear of stepping away, even briefly, is evident. Yet, my time away revealed that when we do allow ourselves to disconnect, something remarkable happens: our teams step up, projects continue, and life goes on.
This break reminded me of the importance of taking time for ourselves, to reconnect with nature and simply be. Whether it's a walk outside, a conversation with a stranger, or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, these moments of peace are essential. They recharge us, making us better leaders and more grounded individuals.
I hope each of you finds the opportunity to experience such moments. In a world that never stops, let's give ourselves permission to pause, appreciate the beauty around us, and trust that everything will be just fine when we return.
